Johan Cruijff ArenASeating Guide: Where to Sit & Best Seats
The Johan Cruijff ArenA is the Netherlands' largest stadium and the home of AFC Ajax, with a football capacity of approximately 55,865 set within a continuous, modern bowl design rather than four separate stands. Seating is arranged across three tiers: the lower Eerste Ring (first ring, blocks roughly in the 1-29 and 101-129 series), the upper Tweede Ring (second ring, blocks in the 400 series), with a band of skyboxes, business seats and VIP lounges between the two main rings. The best overall views come from the lower-tier long sides around the halfway line (blocks in the 105-106 and 120-121 area), while the best value typically sits in the upper Tweede Ring long sides (blocks around 405-406 and 420-421), which offer a wide, elevated view at a lower price. The loudest home atmosphere is behind the goal with the F-Side and VAK410 supporters (blocks roughly 125-129 and 425), and away fans are housed in the North-side second ring (around blocks 416-417). A retractable roof allows the venue to host football, American football and major central-stage concerts that can lift capacity towards 71,000.
Configurations
Football (AFC Ajax / Eredivisie & UEFA)
Standard end-to-end pitch configuration with an approximate capacity of 55,865. Home Ajax support (F-Side and VAK410) gathers behind the goal in the lower and upper South area (around blocks 125-129 and 425); away fans are allocated the North second-ring corner (around blocks 416-417, capacity around 1,600, with neighbouring blocks added for European fixtures when required).
American Football / NFL-style events
The ArenA has a long American football history, hosting World Bowl IX in 2001 and serving as home of the Amsterdam Admirals from 1997 to 2007. The pitch is oriented end-zone to end-zone; long-side seats along the Eerste and Tweede Ring give the best view of the full field, while behind-the-end-zone blocks offer cheaper, more distant angles.
Concerts - central (in-the-round) stage
With a stage placed centrally and the floor opened up, capacity can rise towards 71,000. All three tiers are used and there is no obstructed 'behind stage' zone in the same way as an end stage, though sightlines vary by block.
Concerts - end stage
For an end-stage show the stage is set at one short side. The floor (standing or seated) plus the long-side lower and upper rings offer the best views; blocks directly behind and to the extreme sides of the stage are sold as restricted-view or held back. The retractable roof can be closed for weather, making the venue an all-weather concert option.
Seating levels explained
Eerste Ring (First / Lower Ring)
Approx. blocks 1-29 and 101-129The lower tier wrapping continuously around the pitch at field level. Long-side blocks run along the touchlines, with short-side blocks behind each goal.
Pros: Closest to the action; best for atmosphere and detail; halfway-line long-side blocks give balanced, immersive views.
Cons: Lower front rows can have a flat angle that makes the far side of play harder to read; corner and behind-goal blocks see foreshortening.
Tweede Ring (Second / Upper Ring)
Approx. blocks 401-430The steeper upper tier that rings the stadium above the skybox band, giving an elevated, panoramic view of the whole pitch.
Pros: Excellent overview of tactics and play development; long-side blocks around the halfway line (e.g. around 405-406 and 420-421) are strong value; consistent sightlines.
Cons: Greater distance from the pitch; the very highest rows and extreme corners feel remote and can be exposed when the roof is open.
Skyboxes, Business Seats & VIP Lounges
A ring of private skyboxes, business/Club seats and hospitality lounges positioned between the Eerste and Tweede Ring, with catering and indoor access.
Pros: Central, padded seating with hospitality, shelter and premium service; excellent elevated sightlines along the long sides.
Cons: Premium pricing; some packages are corporate or membership-based rather than single-match general sale.
F-Side & VAK410 (Home Supporters' End)
Approx. blocks 125-129 and 425The traditional vocal home end. VAK410 originally sat in upper block 410 before relocating closer to the F-Side to combine the singing sections.
Pros: The most passionate, song-led atmosphere in the stadium; the heart of Ajax matchday culture.
Cons: Behind-goal angle is poor for following play across the pitch; can involve persistent standing and a more intense crowd environment.
Away Section (Uitvak)
Approx. blocks 416-417The designated visiting-supporter allocation, around 1,600 capacity, in the upper North corner, with extra adjacent blocks opened for some European fixtures.
Pros: Segregated, dedicated space for travelling fans.
Cons: Upper-tier corner position is distant from the pitch with an angled view; among the furthest seats from play.
Best seats at Johan Cruijff ArenA
| For | Sections | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall view | Lower Eerste Ring long-side blocks near the halfway line, approx. 105-106 and 120-121 | Pitch-level central position gives the most balanced, immersive view of the full field of play without extreme foreshortening. |
| Best value | Upper Tweede Ring long-side blocks around the halfway line, approx. 405-406 and 420-421 | Elevated, wide-angle views of the whole pitch at a noticeably lower price than the equivalent lower-ring central blocks. |
| Best atmosphere | South home end with the F-Side and VAK410, approx. blocks 125-129 and 425 | This is the singing, flag-waving core of Ajax support and the loudest part of the ground on matchday. |
| Best for football tactics | Upper Tweede Ring long sides, approx. 405-409 or 420-424 | Height lets you read formations, pressing lines and off-the-ball movement across the whole pitch. |
| Best for American football | Long-side lower and upper blocks near midfield, approx. 105-106 / 120-121 and 405-406 / 420-421 | A side-on midfield position gives the clearest read of both end zones and the line of scrimmage. |
| Best for an end-stage concert | Floor (where seated/standing) plus lower long-side Eerste Ring blocks facing the stage | Front-of-stage and long-side lower blocks keep you close and square-on to the performance while avoiding side and behind-stage angles. |
Seats to avoid & obstructed views
- Behind-stage and extreme-side blocks at end-stage concerts: Sold as restricted view or held back; sightlines to the stage are blocked, side-on or very distant.
- Highest rows of the Tweede Ring (upper 400-series blocks): Furthest from the action with a remote feel, and more exposed to weather when the retractable roof is open.
- Extreme corner blocks where long and short sides meet: Acute viewing angle and foreshortening make the nearest corner of play and the far side harder to follow.
- Behind-goal short-side blocks (e.g. lower and upper South/North ends) for football: End-on angle makes it difficult to judge distance and follow play across the full length of the pitch.
- Away section, upper North corner, approx. blocks 416-417: Among the most distant seats from the pitch, with an angled upper-tier view of play.
Premium & hospitality
Skyboxes (private suites)
Private hospitality boxes in the mid-level band between the two rings, with catering, indoor lounge space and a balcony of seats overlooking the pitch; typically corporate or season-based.
Business Seats / Club seats
Premium padded seating with access to indoor business lounges, food and drink and dedicated entrances, positioned for strong central long-side sightlines.
VIP Lounges & hospitality areas
Branded matchday and event lounges offering pre-match dining, hosting and bar service alongside upper-quality seating, sold as hospitality packages.
Loge / corporate boxes
Boxed corporate units for entertaining, combining a private interior with reserved adjacent seating in the premium band of the bowl.
Accessibility & companion seating
The Johan Cruijff ArenA provides wheelchair-accessible viewing platforms with companion seating, accessible parking, lifts and adapted facilities, in line with its status as a modern UEFA-category venue. Wheelchair user and companion tickets, and other accessibility provisions, should be arranged in advance through Ajax / the ArenA box office or the official ticketing channel rather than bought on the open market, as numbers per match are limited.
Where: Designated wheelchair and companion positions are distributed around the lower Eerste Ring at several points of the bowl so that home and visiting supporters can be accommodated near their respective ends; confirm the exact platform location and entrance with the venue when booking, as allocation depends on the event and the area requested.
Upcoming events at Johan Cruijff ArenA
Bruno Mars-Amsterdam, Netherlands
Thu, 2 July 2026 · Concerts
Bruno Mars-Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sat, 4 July 2026 · Concerts
Bruno Mars-Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sun, 5 July 2026 · Concerts
Bruno Mars-Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tue, 7 July 2026 · Concerts
The Weeknd-Amsterdam, Netherlands
Thu, 16 July 2026 · Concerts
The Weeknd-Amsterdam, Netherlands
Thu, 16 July 2026 · Concerts
The Weeknd-Amsterdam, Netherlands
Fri, 17 July 2026 · Concerts
The Weeknd-Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sat, 18 July 2026 · Concerts
Frequently asked questions
What are the best seats at the Johan Cruijff ArenA?
For the best overall view, choose lower Eerste Ring long-side blocks near the halfway line (around blocks 105-106 and 120-121). They are close to the pitch with a balanced, central angle. If you want the loudest atmosphere instead of the clearest view, head for the South home end with the F-Side and VAK410 (around blocks 125-129 and 425).
Where are the cheapest / best-value seats?
The best value is usually in the upper Tweede Ring along the long sides around the halfway line (around blocks 405-406 and 420-421). You sit higher and further back, but you get a wide, panoramic view of the whole pitch at a lower price than the equivalent lower-ring blocks. Behind-goal upper blocks are cheaper again.
Where do away fans sit at the Johan Cruijff ArenA?
Visiting supporters are allocated the away section (uitvak) in the upper North corner, around blocks 416-417, with a capacity of approximately 1,600. For some European fixtures, neighbouring blocks are opened to increase the away allocation.
Where is the F-Side and the loudest Ajax support?
The F-Side, together with the VAK410 group, forms the vocal home end behind the South goal, roughly across blocks 125-129 in the lower ring and 425 in the upper ring. It is the most passionate, song-led part of the stadium and the centre of Ajax matchday culture.
Is the Johan Cruijff ArenA accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes. The stadium offers wheelchair-accessible viewing positions with companion seating, accessible parking, lifts and adapted facilities. Wheelchair user and companion tickets are limited per event and should be booked in advance through Ajax or the ArenA box office rather than on the open market.
Does the Johan Cruijff ArenA have a roof, and does it close?
Yes. The ArenA has a retractable roof, so it can be fully covered in poor weather. This makes it an all-weather venue for concerts and is why central-stage shows can be staged regardless of the conditions; for football the roof is opened or closed depending on the weather and pitch needs.
How many people does the Johan Cruijff ArenA hold?
For football the capacity is approximately 55,865. For concerts with a central (in-the-round) stage the floor is opened up and capacity can rise towards 71,000.
Official seating maps: map 1 ↗, map 2 ↗
Sources
- Ajax.nl - Overzichtskaart Johan Cruijff ArenA (official seating overview)
- Johan Cruyff Arena - Wikipedia
- Johan Cruijff ArenA Seating Plan: Ajax Matchday Layout Guide - ticket-compare.com
- Johan Cruyff ArenA Seating Plan | AFC Ajax Seating Chart - SeatPick
- Amsterdam Johan Cruijff ArenA interactive seating plan - MapaPlan.com